Cast members of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” include (l-r) director Nora Dukes, John Childers, Libby Foster, Phil Rothman, and Emperor Scott Lewis. The Children’s Playhouse production is set for next week. The Washington Little Theater’s Children’s Playhouse will be presenting “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” its second production for local students next week – and for the public on Saturday.

“This delightful show tells the story of the very vain Emperor who cares only about how he looks,” said director Nora Dukes. “His tailors try very hard to keep the Emperor happy, but he threatens to fire them if they can not make him the perfect birthday suit for the Emperor’s parade.”

Two conniving thieves are hired to weave magical clothes for the Emperor, she said, and these “special” clothes end up teaching the Emperor a valuable lesson about what is most important.

The show, directed by Dukes, stars all local talent, all of whom are veterans of the Little Theater stage: John Childers, Nora Dukes, Libby Foster, Scott Lewis, and Phil Rothman.

The Children’s Playhouse began in 2004 to provide the experience of live theatrical performances for area schoolchildren, many of whom have never seen live theater.

For this year’s second show, students from the Washington-Wilkes Primary School, the WashingtonWilkes Elementary School, First Baptist Church Preschool, First Methodist Church Preschool, Nathaniel Greene, and Briarwood will be attending performances staged at the theater on Wednesday, August 31, and Thursday and Friday, September 1 and 2.

There will be one show on Wednesday, four shows on Thursday and three shows on Friday to accommodate all the students, teachers, and chaperones.

As a special bonus for the community, a family matinee will be open to the public on Saturday, September 3, at 11 a.m. After that show, the audience will have the opportunity to meet the characters.

Cost for the family matinee is $2 per person. Reservations are not required, so admission is on a firstcome, first-served basis. The box office will open at 10:15.